Noise modifying overhead audio system

Abstract

An overhead audio system for use in a vehicle, the overhead audio system includes multiplexor for receiving an input signal from a plurality of audio sources and for transmitting an output signal; a noise detection sensor for detecting a noise and providing noise data; an audio processor for processing the output signal received from the multiplexor and for receiving the noise data from the noise detection sensor, wherein the audio processor processes the output signal based on the noise data and transmits the processed output signal to a speaker; and wherein the overhead audio system is housed within a headliner of the vehicle.

1 . An overhead audio system for use in a vehicle, the overhead audio system comprising:
 a multiplexor for receiving an audio input signal from a plurality of audio sources and for transmitting an audio output signal;   a noise detection sensor for detecting an undesirable noise and for transmitting an undesirable noise signal;   an audio processor having a digital signal processor and a mixing digital signal processor, wherein the digital signal processor receives and processes the audio output signal and the undesirable noise signal, and wherein the mixing digital signal processor combines the processed audio output signal and the processed undesirable noise signal to create a net output signal that has been modified to compensate for the undesirable noise.   
     
     
         2 . The overhead audio system of  claim 1 , further comprising a supplemental input for providing the mixing digital processor with a replacement sound for the undesirable noise, wherein the replacement sound is a predetermined motor noise. 
     
     
         3 . The overhead audio system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio processor modifies the undesirable noise render the undesirable noise inaudible. 
     
     
         4 . The overhead audio system of  claim 1 , farther comprising a converter for converting an analog signal to a digital signal and for converting a digital signal to an analog signal. 
     
     
         5 . The overhead audio system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one amplifier for amplifying the output signal to a speaker. 
     
     
         6 . The overhead audio system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of audio sources include a AM/FM radio, a compact disc player, an optical disc player, a cassette tape player, a digital audio player, an auxiliary audio input, a Bluetooth device, a USB port, or a wireless audio input device. 
     
     
         7 . The overhead audio system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface for operating the overhead audio system. 
     
     
         8 . A headliner having an overhead audio system for a vehicle interior, comprising:
 a multiplexor for receiving an audio input signal from a plurality of audio sources and for transmitting an audio output signal;   a noise detection sensor for detecting an undesirable noise and for transmitting an undesirable noise signal;   an audio processor having a digital signal processor and a mixing digital signal processor, wherein the digital signal processor receives and processes the audio output signal and the undesirable noise signal, and the mixing digital signal processor combines the processed audio output signal and the processed undesirable noise signal to create a net output signal that has been modified to compensate for the undesirable noise.   
     
     
         9 . The headliner of  claim 8 , wherein the overhead audio system is housed within the headliner of the vehicle and the modified output signal is transmitted into the vehicle interior. 
     
     
         10 . The headliner of  claim 8 , wherein the audio processor modifies the undesirable noise render the undesirable noise inaudible. 
     
     
         11 . The headliner of  claim 8 , further comprising a converter for converting an analog signal to a digital signal and for converting a digital signal to an analog signal. 
     
     
         12 . The headliner of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one amplifier for amplifying the output signal to the speaker. 
     
     
         13 . The headliner of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of audio sources include a AM/FM radio, a compact disc player, an optical disc player, a cassette tape player, a digital audio player, an auxiliary audio input, a Bluetooth device, a USB port, or a wireless audio input device. 
     
     
         14 . The headliner of  claim 8 , further comprising a user interface for operating the overhead audio system.